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plantonic_friendships's review
dark
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.75
Surprisingly lighthearted despite the content. He was raw and honest - truly honest. As in he wasn't afraid of being the villain; showing us those unsavory thoughts and decisions we all have. Really refreshing candor and authentic portrayal of his life and the struggles in it. All with a sardonic humor that I would like to see more of. Often, it is clear that a memoir was edited and cleaned up for palatability.
A very human look at addiction, layered with a queer perspective.
A very human look at addiction, layered with a queer perspective.
willkay's review
4.0
Dry by Augusten Burroughs
I had read Running With Scissors about a year ago (and I have avoided going anywhere near the film) and enjoyed it - enjoyed it in that way that you enjoy a car crash. It was not a favourite book and not that enjoyable that the first thing I did was pick up Dry and continue to read about Mr. Burroughs' trials and tribulations in the advertising world. Running with Scissors was not the "fun romp" that the back of the book promised - it was a stark, barren novel that tried to make the author's life look "fun and interesting" but, when viewed from a distance, really was awful. This was a man whose parents gave him away to his mother's psychiatrist and suffered under the hands body parts of a paedophile. Not the most fun read. In Dry the author is still suffering, this time from alcohol abuse. The thing that makes this an easier (comparatively) read is that he is now an adult, making his own decisions. This makes the book a lot more enjoyable less likely to make you hold the book at arm's length and scream "NOOOOOO!!!!" The book follows his life for a year - a year where he enters rehab, starts AA meetings, falls in love with a crack user, relapses and then recovers. He is a much more likeable character (probably because what is happening to him is his choice and you feel a lot closer to him than watching the car-crash-lifestyle of his youth, where others fucked him up [and fucked him]). I am really glad I read this book. There was a feeling at the end of Running that I didn't really care about how his life progressed, now I feel a certain sense of happiness that he is back in control of his life and it is his life.
I had read Running With Scissors about a year ago (and I have avoided going anywhere near the film) and enjoyed it - enjoyed it in that way that you enjoy a car crash. It was not a favourite book and not that enjoyable that the first thing I did was pick up Dry and continue to read about Mr. Burroughs' trials and tribulations in the advertising world. Running with Scissors was not the "fun romp" that the back of the book promised - it was a stark, barren novel that tried to make the author's life look "fun and interesting" but, when viewed from a distance, really was awful. This was a man whose parents gave him away to his mother's psychiatrist and suffered under the hands body parts of a paedophile. Not the most fun read. In Dry the author is still suffering, this time from alcohol abuse. The thing that makes this an easier (comparatively) read is that he is now an adult, making his own decisions. This makes the book a lot more enjoyable less likely to make you hold the book at arm's length and scream "NOOOOOO!!!!" The book follows his life for a year - a year where he enters rehab, starts AA meetings, falls in love with a crack user, relapses and then recovers. He is a much more likeable character (probably because what is happening to him is his choice and you feel a lot closer to him than watching the car-crash-lifestyle of his youth, where others fucked him up [and fucked him]). I am really glad I read this book. There was a feeling at the end of Running that I didn't really care about how his life progressed, now I feel a certain sense of happiness that he is back in control of his life and it is his life.
5fourteen's review
4.0
This book contains what I think is the best line in any book, ever: "Her need is a like a vagina. And I do not like to see it."
shaarman's review against another edition
4.0
an amazing perspective on alcoholism - makes the issue very real if you have alcoholic in your family
brianlarson's review
5.0
Raw, brutal, & beautiful.
Augusten’s memoir could easily be a prelude or epilogue to ‘Running With Scissors.’ Although, all readers- those sober-curious, sober, & even moderate drinkers- will take something away from Augusten sharing his tumultuous journey to sobriety.
I loved most that Augusten did not typecast alcoholics or even addicts into a single box; throughout the memoir we meet all manner of people at varying levels of sobriety. I also thought it was extremely powerful for Augusten to share his early days in rehab, building his sober network, attending AA meetings... and eventually taking a tumult down a couple flights to a “new low.” I think sometimes we view sobriety as a struggle or a grimy quagmire when, in actuality, it’s one of the most beautiful gifts a person can give to herself/himself. Sure, as many readers will likely identify with, sometimes the journey to sobriety isn’t a straight line or even a zig-zag, yet the journey itself is still just one day at a time.
Augusten’s memoir could easily be a prelude or epilogue to ‘Running With Scissors.’ Although, all readers- those sober-curious, sober, & even moderate drinkers- will take something away from Augusten sharing his tumultuous journey to sobriety.
I loved most that Augusten did not typecast alcoholics or even addicts into a single box; throughout the memoir we meet all manner of people at varying levels of sobriety. I also thought it was extremely powerful for Augusten to share his early days in rehab, building his sober network, attending AA meetings... and eventually taking a tumult down a couple flights to a “new low.” I think sometimes we view sobriety as a struggle or a grimy quagmire when, in actuality, it’s one of the most beautiful gifts a person can give to herself/himself. Sure, as many readers will likely identify with, sometimes the journey to sobriety isn’t a straight line or even a zig-zag, yet the journey itself is still just one day at a time.
ilaiza_aviles's review against another edition
4.0
This was interesting. His struggle with substance use and mental health was explained in a way that I have not seen in other books. Listening to him explain the different levels of struggle and pain was heart breaking. At times, I did find myself laughing out loud because some of the things he got into or said were hilarious (but he acknowledges the good, bad and the ugly).
earthflesh's review
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Addiction, Drug abuse, Terminal illness, and Alcohol
Moderate: Toxic relationship
mitchelljoneill's review
5.0
I couldn’t put Dry down. Yesterday I picked up two more books by Augustan Burroughs (Running with Scissors, and Lust & Wonder), this is the first author that I think I am really obsessed with other than Mitch Albom.
I found this book hilarious, it gave me such an eager and impatient feeling to see what happens next. It really reads like fiction which is always the best.
Throughout Burroughs story we learn about his fucked up childhood (which I’ll learn about in “Running With Scissor”) and his problem with alcahol and how loved ones can channel us to make positive changes and even sometimes make mistakes.
Everything about this book is flawless, the writing style is so natural and funny, all of the characters have their own voices even though it is being recounted by Burroughs, and there isn’t a single aspect of this story that isn’t tied up in a nice little bow throughout which is very rare for a memoir.
I’m very much looking forward to reading more books by Augusten Burroughs, I think I will read Running with Scissors Next.
I found this book hilarious, it gave me such an eager and impatient feeling to see what happens next. It really reads like fiction which is always the best.
Throughout Burroughs story we learn about his fucked up childhood (which I’ll learn about in “Running With Scissor”) and his problem with alcahol and how loved ones can channel us to make positive changes and even sometimes make mistakes.
Everything about this book is flawless, the writing style is so natural and funny, all of the characters have their own voices even though it is being recounted by Burroughs, and there isn’t a single aspect of this story that isn’t tied up in a nice little bow throughout which is very rare for a memoir.
I’m very much looking forward to reading more books by Augusten Burroughs, I think I will read Running with Scissors Next.
stupidbears's review
3.0
Funny and honest recounting of Burroughs' life as a young adult struggling with addiction. Not my personal favorite out of his books, but it's a good one by all means.